Wood surfacing machine



Feb-1s, 1941.

J. H. KITLAR ETAL WOOD SURFACING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18 1958 PatentedFeb. 18, 1941 PATENT OFFICE 2,231,921 Woon sUnFAcING MACHINE Joseph H.Kitlarland Joh-n Johnson, Tacoma,

, Wash.

`Application october 1s, 193s, seriailvNo. 235,620

6 Claims.

This invention relates to wood surfacing machinos and surfacingprocesses, and has reference more particularly to improvements in sandfing machines; it being the principal object of this invention to providemeans, operable in conjunction with the usual types of surfacing orsanding machines to produce a finer grade of' sanding and smoothersurface on a board or panel for subsequentl finishing, such as staining,varnishing and polishing, and as a final result, to produce better, aswell as a more beautiful finish on the panel.

Explanatory to the present invention,it Will be,

here stated that in the manufacture of certain pieces of furniture, aconsiderable amount or even all of the parts used have at, even surfacesto be finished or prepared by application of stain and varnish, andsubjected tovarious polishing operations; these parts being initiallyprepared by passage through various planing and sanding machines. Theboards -or panels employed are of various kinds and qualities of wood,varying considerably in the character of fiber or grain of the wood, aswell as in hardness. The planing and sanding operations are designed toform the pieces or panels with surfaces which are as level and smooth ascan be obtained. However, in use of planing and sanding operations. ofpresent day machinesvknown to us, there is an objectionable feature inthat the hard, long fibers of the wood resist removal from the board onan even level with softer and smaller fibers of the board, and as aresult, the surface is left with a vast number of ridges and hollows,and also a vast number of extending or loose fibers. Thus, when stain,or the like, is subsequently applied, these extending or loose fibershave an increased tendency to stand up, and when the varnish is applied,they will extend even beyond the surface thereof. During the subsequentpolishing operations, these fibers, of course, are broken off, but intheir breaking off, they actually present minute openings to the woodbeneath thevarnish,

and upon those surfaces which are subjected to considerable wear, orWhere the varnish, becomes worn, the Wood will be exposed, or at leastaccess will be provided thereto through the enlargement of ,these minuteopenings. Due to these openings and to varying temperatures andhumidities, the wood then, in, damp Weather, has a tendency to absorbmoisture from the air, and in warm Weather, to dry out. Moistureabsorbed by the4 wood tends to separate the varnish from the wood, andcauses the iinishto blister, crack,

(Cl. 51-u5) and check, and to deteriorate in general appearance andusefulness.

The final result is a product of short life in regard to the finishthereof and the conclusion is that it is of cheap, 10W grade material.

Many attempts have been made to reduce or minimize the fuzziness of thepanel surfaces caused by the extending of harder fibers of the wood,such as by the manual sponging 0f boards with water between thecustomary operations of coarse and fine sanding. This sponging of theboard surface with water causes the loose fibers to swell and stand moreout from the board,

remedying `the situation to a limited degree, but there still is atendency for the subsequent sanding operations to knock down the fibersinstead of entirely removing them. This hand sponging has itsdisadvantages in that in rubbing over the board surfaces with thesponge, the extending fibers are matted down considerably and only thelarger ones are caused to stand, by reason -of the moisture absorbed.

The present invention deals with novel means and Vmethods forconditioning and surfacing lumber or wood panels, that allows for theremoval of such extending fibers or fuzziness, to the maximum degree.

In view of the above, it has been the object of this invention toprovide means whereby the fibers of wood that extend from the boardsurface are caused to stand up, and are so held up that they may becompletely removed in a subsequent sanding operation.

It is a` further object of this invention to provide for the automaticapplication of a liquid s0- lution to the board surface as it travelsout of one of the sanding machines, thus eliminating the need andexpense of the slow and ineicient manual sponging, and at the same timeproviding for a completely efficient fiber raising sizing at v no addedexpense.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a clean andsanitary means of mechanically applying this liquid solution to the Woodpanels, thus eliminating the possibilities of the smudging of the panelsby the wet hands of the operator.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the details ofconstruction, in the combination of parts, and in the mode of operationof the device, as will be hereinafter fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of theinvention, We haveprovided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms ofwhich litiv are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1is a longitudinal, sectional view of a sanding machine embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail of the mounting of the fabn'- cated sponging rollersupon the sanding machine.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, cross sectional view of the sponging roller,illustrating its action upon the wood fibers. f

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional detail of the solution distributing pipe.f

Briefly described, our invention resides in the means for causing thelifting up of the loose wood bers from the surface of the`A lumber orpanel operated on, comprising fabricated, absorbent rollers that aresupported for rolling contact with the flat surfaces of the boards orpanels as they emerge from the sanding machine, and means for applying asuitable sizing solution, which may be similar to or in fact may be avery thin or diluted solution of glue, tothe rollers for transfer to thesurface of the board.

Referring more in detail to the drawing- In Fig. 1, we have illustrated,somewhat diagrammatically, a sanding machine of a type now in commonusage. This machine is designated in its entirety by reference numeralI0, and` it comprises a frame I2 within which an endless belt conveyorI3 is moved in the direction of the arrows adjacent thereto, by thedrums or wheel I 4--I4' about which the belt operates. These drums aremounted yon cross shafts I5-I5 revoluble in the frame and which may bedriven by any suitable means.

The board or panels to be surfaced such as designated at I8, areinserted in the machine upon a bedplate I'I and the pressure block I8pressed downwardly thereon to hold the board for even motion through themachine.

In the type of machine illustrated, a plurality of sander heads areemployed, and these are eachA designated by reference numeral 20. Eachhead comprises a drum 2| that is' supported and rotated at high speed bya supporting cross shaft 22. On ythe drum is a wrapping, or surface ofsand paper, or the like, 23. Enclosing each sander head is a hood 25,each of which is connected to the adjacent one for rigidity, and each isconnected at its upper end to a suction pipe 26' for the removal of thesander dust.

As the board panel I8r emerges from the sanding machine, it is advancedacross another bed. plate 2l, above which is suspended the present,

' solution applying or sponging roller, designated at 30. l

In the present instance, the roller 30 comprises a metal drum 3l that isclosed by end plates 3Ia, and is supported by a coaxial shaft 32. Thisdrum is wrapped with a plurality of layers of absorbent material,preferably a heavyv felt, such as wool felt; ythis being designated at33. At its opposite ends, the shaft 32 is secured to the swinging endsof paired arms or brackets 35 by bearing blocks 36. Each bracket or arm35 is hinged, as at 37, to a part fixed to the sander frame, thus topermit the roller to raise and lower. Adjusting studs 38 are threadedthrough the brackets 35 to engage with brackets 39 which are xed to theframe and provide adjustment in accordance with various thicknesses ofboards.

A pipe longitudinally overlieshthe roller 30 and is supported at itsends by clampslll that: are

fixed upon the hinged brackets 35. 'I'his pipe is capped at both ends,and has a valved connection, as at 43, centrally thereof, with a sourceof supply of liquid solution, not shown, through a flexible hose 44. Thepipe 40 is provided with a plurality of jets or openings 42 along itslower side as noted in Fig. 4, disposed in such a manner as to spray asolution on the roller at a rate sucient to keep it saturated.

It'.A will be noticed that the bed plate 21 is provided with a series ofgrooves or channels 45 leading from a cross groove or channel 46adjacent the inner edge thereof, and inclined slightly tothe outer edgethereof, and that there are also provided holes 41 through the bed platefrom the bottom of the grooves. 'I'his allows the solution to drainfreely to the pan 48 that underlies the bed, plate 21', and therebyprevents it from entering the sanding machine.

The pan 48 drains into a trough 50 which is permanentlyl xed to theframe of the sander by a bracket 68. Sufcientsolution is maintained inthe trough 50 by overflow or seepage from the upper roller;

A second roller, identical in construction to roller 38', is disposedbeneath the path of travel of. the panel, and is supported to rotate inthe trough 50. This roller is adapted to be in rolling con-tact with.the lower surface of the panel as it emerges from. the Sanden. and ismounted on a frame designated by reference numeral 55. This framecomprises side beams 55, that are joined rigidly together at their outerend b-y beams 56a and has a, downwardly extending bracket 51 to whichthe shaft 32 of the roller is secured by the bearing blocks 3G. The sidebeams 58 are mounted by two bolts 58S, which are threaded into the bedplate 2'I. It' will be noted that there is a horizontally directed slot58a in the end of the side beam 56, which is adapted to fit about one oftheA bol-ts 58 and that there is a downwardly directed slot 53h in thelower side of the side beam 56, whichA is adapted to fit about the otherbolt 58. This provides that should it be desired to process onlyY thetop surface of the panel I6, the lower roller may be removed by liftingthe outer end of the frame 55, which will pivot on the farther bolt 58as the slot 58h clears the forward bolt 58, and then pulling forwardlyon the frame it will slide off the farther bolt 58.

Considering the device to be so constructed, its use and mode ofoperation would be as follows:

With the lumber cut approximately to the size for use and after it hasreceived the planing operation, it is then given a rough sandingoperation, vas it is called, but in reality it is substantially finesanding through the machine herein illustrated. As the boards emergefrom this machine, they are. treated or processed by the rollers, thenallowed to dry, and subsequently given what is termed the fine sandingoperation, which is a much finer grain sanding than the first.

The action of the roller, being composed of the wool felt as described,and saturated with the solution desired', is to meisten and to lift theminute fibers of the wood, as illustrated at f in the enlargedillustration in Fig. 3. This is accomplished by the tendency of the woolfibers of the roller to be pressed into and cling to the bers of thewood. As the surface of the roller disengages the wood-panel, it movessubstantially directlyv perpendicularly thereto, and in this Way,

the fibers ofthe wood arelifted, or pulled straight up from the boardsubstantially perpendicular thereto.

With the roller being super-saturated with the liquid solution, as itrolls over the board, a cer- 5 tain amount of this solution is squeezedout of the roller and forms a small pool or run of liquid in front ofit. This liquid is absorbed by the Wood to som-e extent and has atendency -to cause the coarser fibers to swell andv to stand erect onthe panel surface, thereby allowing the fibers of the wool felt rollerto penetrate deeper and pick up the softer and finer wood bers.

It is anticipated also that for quicker drying of the sizing solution,and greater eiciency of the process, the lumber panels may be passedthrough a heated drying chamber while fibers are erect, and then giventhe ne sanding operation.

Should it be desired to process only the top surface, the lower rollermay be quickly and easily removed, and the trough 50 suitably coveredand protected. In cases where both sides of the panel are processed andfinished, it is intended to run the panel through a machine, an ordinarysander, not equipped with the processing roller, then turn it over andpass it through the sander herein disclosed which is equipped with thetwo rollers. In this way both sides of the panel may be sanded andprocessed, then dried as stated for ensuing sanding operations. It isevident that should it be run through the sander and processed on itsupper side, then turned over and run through again, that the rstprocessing would be nullified entirely by the second operation.

It is also contemplated that a plurality of such rollers for the secondor final sanding may be incorporated directly in the machine or may beassembled in a unit separate or entirely independent of the sandingmachine and may comprise single rollers or a plurality thereof. In Fig.1 We 40 have designated sanding rollers for the final surfacingoperation at Zlx and Zly.

Such a provision makes possible a partial completion of the process offinishing the lumber, such as performing the planing and rough sandingof the board pieces, and then the storingk of such lumber before it isfinally finished or made up into finished products, as is many times thecase when large orders are placed for a delivery at a future date.

A wide variety of materials may be used in the construction of thesponging roller, some having greater eiiiciency than others for certaintypes and qualities of wood.

It is thought quite evident from the foregoing 55 description that thesuperiority of this method and means of so processing lumber, over themanual swabbing or sponging will be apparent, especially in view -of thefact that such hand performed operations merely apply the solution,

and tend to brush the fibers fiat instead of uiting them up to aperpendicular position.

It is not intended that the claims be limited to the details of thedevices herein illustrated, but that they be given an interpretationcommensurate to the spirit and scope of the invention herein disclosed.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A panel surfacing machine comprising means for advancing a Wood panelthrough the machine, a sanding roll for initially surfacing a face ofthe panel, a sponging roller supported for rolling contact with thesanded face of the said panel as it is advanced from the said sandingroll and a fine sanding roll operable for finally surfacing -the spongedface of the panel.

2. A panel surfacing machine comprising means for advancing a wood panelthrough the machine, a sanding roll for initially surfacing the panel,an absorbent sponging roller supported for rolling contact with thesurfaced face of the panel, means for applying a moistening liquid tothe sponging roll and a fine sanding roll for finally surfacing thesponged face of the panel.

3. A panel surfacing machine comprising panel sanding means, means foradvancing a wood panel through the machine for the initial surfacing ofa face thereof by the sanding means, a sponging roller having a coveringof absorbent, resilient material for containing a sponging solution,mounted for rolling contact with the initially surfaced face of thepanel as the latter is advanced, a supply pipe overlying the spongingroller and formed with perforations for supplying a `liquid spongingsolution therethrough to the roller and a ine sanding roller operablefor finally surfacing the sponged face of the panel.

4. A machine as recited in claim 3, wherein the sponging rollercomprises a revoluble drum, equipped with a covering of absorbent felt,or the like, and is swingingly attached to the machine frame to raiseand lower for passage of the panel thereunder, and wherein the solutionsupply pipe longitudinally overlies the roller and is supported to raiseand lower therewith.

5. A machine comprising means for surfacing the opposite faces of a woodpanel, rollers arranged for passing of the surfaced panel between themand for rolling contact with the surfaced faces of the panel, means forapplying a sponging solution to the rollers; said rollers comprising aresilient, absorbent surface portion from which the solutionA will besqueezed by the passing of the board and ne sanding rollers operable fornally surfacing the sponged faces of the panel.

6. A panel surfacing machine comprising a rotary sanding roll, anabsorbent roller, means for passing a panel through the machine forsurfacing by the sanding roll and for causing its surfaced area to passagainst the absorbent roller; said latter roller being of a resilientmaterial adapted to be compressed along the line of contact incident tothe passage of the board, means for supplying a liquid to the roller forsponging the panel by release incident to the compression of the rolland a ne sanding roller operable for finally surfacing the sponged facesof the panel.

J OSEPH H. KITLAR. JOHN JOHNSON.

